Summer has arrived! So it’s time for the whole family to enjoy the great outdoors, plan trips and host fun parties, especially by the pool! One of the highlights of getting together with friends and family is tasting all the fresh and delicious seasonal dishes. There are the classics, but we have come up with fresh dish ideas that everyone will love! Check out the best summer recipes using the links below!
Appetizer Summer Recipes
Let’s start off with the basics! These snacks are great finger foods that won’t fill your guests up before the main meal!
Grilled Bacon Jalapeno Wraps
Via Paleohacks.com
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 6 fresh jalapeno peppers (cut in half lengthwise and seeded)
- 8oz of cream cheese
- 12 slices of bacon
Hidden inside your favorite breakfast food is some spice! This delicious bite-sized dish is sure to heat things up at your next party. It isn’t hard to make either. Check out the site for directions and adjust the recipe for larger servings.
Caprese Salad Skewers
Via Thenewperfect.org
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 20 grape tomatoes
- 10oz mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 pinch of black pepper
- 20 toothpicks
Try out this classic Caprese Salad on a stick! It’s light, refreshing and a great post-swim snack. Just toss tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, olive oil, basil, salt and pepper together in a bowl until well coated. Skewer one tomato and one piece of mozzarella cheese on each toothpick. Try the salad skewers with some balsamic drizzle and your guests will surely ask for more!
City Ceviche
Via Mygourmetconnection.com
Prep Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 12
Ingredients:
- ½ pound sea scallops
- ½ pound shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- ½ cup lime juice
- 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
- 1 tbsp grated orange zest
- ½ cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 finely chopped red bell pepper
- 1 finely chopped yellow bell pepper
- 1 cup diced seeded tomato
- 1 small serrano chile pepper, seeded and minced
- ½ cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
- Salt to taste
- ⅛ tsp ground cumin
- ⅛ cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 avocado, diced
Here’s a dish that’s both colorful and customizable! Ceviche is a hit at any summer party. Choose your favorite fish or seafood and it will still turn out delicious!
Entree Summer Recipes
Now that your guests have had a snack, it’s time to move on to the main course!
Grilled Garlic & Herb Shrimp
Via Cleanfoodcrush.com
Prep Time: 3 Hours
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp lemon zest
- 3 thinly sliced cloves of garlic
- 3 tbsp chopped fresh basil leaves
- 3 tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh oregano leaves
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh lemon thyme leaves
- 4 tbsp olive oil, divided or as needed
- 2 pounds extra large shrimp (16-20), peeled and deveined, tail left on
Mmmm…barbecue! In the summertime, there’s nothing better than this dish from under the sea. Ditch the burgers and classic barbecue far at your next pool party. Try out these fancy shrimp skewers for a change!
Soba Noodle Salad with Chicken and Sesame
Via Allrecipes.com
Prep Time: 27 minutes
Servings: 3
Ingredients:
Salad:
- 1 boneless chicken breast, cut into thin bite-size strips
- 1 tsp chopped garlic
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 1 rib celery sliced (optional)
- 1 carrot (sliced)
- ½ red bell pepper, chopped
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tbsp chopped green onion
Ingredients for the dressing:
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp minced fresh ginger root
- 4oz buckwheat soba noodles
- 2 tsp vegetable oil
Noodles are also a fun summer food! It’s light, refreshing and completely portable. This flavor-packed dish is tasty and healthy!
Herb Watermelon Feta Salad
Via Allrecipes.com
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 12
Ingredients:
- ½ large chilled watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 1 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- ½ cup minced fresh mint leaves
- 2 limes, juiced
- 1 (4oz) package of crumbled feta cheese
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar or more to taste
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Watermelon is an instantly recognizable summer food! Watermelon, feta, red onion and herbs might seem like a strange combination, but they make an excellent salad. Surprise your poolside guests this summer with this mix of salty and sweet!
Greek Style Chicken Breast
Via Allrecipes.com
Prep Time: 1 day 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 tsp crushed garlic
- ⅓ tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 ½ tsp black pepper
You can use chicken in almost anything, but we bet that you haven’t tried this recipe before! Wrap it up in a pita with your favorite veggies and sauces and everyone is sure to love it!
Dessert Summer Recipes
By now, everyone might feel stuffed. However, there’s always room for something sweet!
Fresh Fruit And Yogurt Ice Pops
Via allrecipes.com
Prep Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and sliced bananas, mixed
- 2 cups plain or vanilla yogurt
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 8 small paper cuts
- 8 popsicle sticks
Here’s a healthy alternative to a summer favorite that kids and adults will love! It’s easy to make, a healthier dessert option and will keep you cool. Remember to make these ahead of time as you will need five hours to freeze them.
Freezer Caramel Drizzle Pie
Via allrecipes.com
Prep Time: 12 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 2 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crusts
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 1 (7oz) package shredded coconut
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 (8oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 (16oz) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
- 1 (12oz) jar caramel ice cream topping
Don’t forget to add this pie to your summer recipe collection! If you love sweets, this frosty and tasty dessert will surely satisfy your sweet tooth. Make the end of your party that much sweeter!
Classic Blueberry Pie
Via allrecipes.com
Prep Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup white sugar
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 cups fresh blueberries
- 1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie
- 1 tsp butter
Here’s another recipe using a seasonal fruit! This fan-favorite is classic and is a crowd-pleaser at any summer party. Take it to the next level by topping it off with vanilla ice cream!
